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Generate a short story involving two friends who find a mysterious object.
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John and Mary were best friends since childhood. They would often go exploring in the local woods on the weekends, looking for adventure. 

One day, as they were walking through the woods, Mary spotted something shiny and tucked away among the fallen leaves. They cautiously approached it and discovered it was a mysterious box, with a purple velvet fabric covering it and an intricate golden lock. 

Mary quickly opened her backpack, grabbed some tools, and started to work on the lock. It didn't take long before they were able to open the box, revealing a set of mysterious items inside- a small journal, a bottle of liquid, and a golden necklace. 

John and Mary looked at each other in disbelief. What could all of these items mean, and where did they come from? They had no idea of what they had just unearthed, but they knew they must take a closer look.